Washington State Outdoors

Fort Canby State Park
Located in Pacific County, 2.5 miles SW of Ilwaco off Hwy 101. One of the state's most scenic parks. You can see the mouth of the Columbia River and two lighthouses, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (built 1856) and the North Head Lighthouse (built 1898). Available activities include camping, picnicking, ocean views, beachcombing, claming, surf, jetty and lake fishing, boating and visitation of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. For information call: (800)233-0321

Lake Chelan State Park
Located right on Lake Chelan, 9 miles west of the city of Chelan. One of the states top recreation areas. Activities include an underwater park, camping, boating, swimming and fishing. For information call: (800)233-0321

Beacon Rock State Park
Located 35 miles E of Vancouver on SR 14. Beacon Rock, so named by Lewis and Clark in 1805 was a "beacon" to Columbia River travelers informing them that there were no more obstructions in the river from this point to the Pacific Ocean, 150 miles away. Beacon Rock is actually the 848 foot high core of an ancient volcano. It is the largest monolith in North American, the second largest in the world after Gibraltar. Available activities include camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. For information call: (800)233-0321

Riverside State Park
The Spokane House trading post was built in 1810 by the Northwest Fur Trading Company, a Canadian firm. The Pacific Fur Company was formed by John Jacob Astor near the Spokane House. In 1813, the American firm was purchased by the Northwest Company. In 1821, the two companies merged and became the Hudson's Bay Company. The post was abandoned in 1826. The oldest log structure in Spokane County is located inside park grounds. Available activities include picnicking, interpretive center, camping, 9 historical buildings, 36.7 miles of foot and horse trails, boating, and a 600-acre motorcycle and ORV area. For information call: (800)233-0321

Lake Wenatchee
Located 23 miles north of Leavenworth on Hwy 207. Lake Wenatchee is a popular year-round recreation area, with 12,000 feet of waterfront. Activities include cross-country skiing, swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating, camping, and horseback riding. For information call: (800)233-0321

Camping and Hiking in Washington

Lake Chelan State Park
Located 9 miles west of Chelan. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, etc.
For information call: (800)452-5687

Lake Wenatchee State Park
Located 23 miles north of Leavenworth on Hwy 207. Camping, boating, canoeing, fishing, etc.
For information call: (800)452-5687

Mt. Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument
Erupted May 18, 1980. Hiking trails around volcano. State, National, and private campgrounds available outside restricted area. Climbing is permitted on the south slope of the volcano, entry into the crater is prohibited. This is a rugged, off-trail climb. Climbing permit required above 4,000 ft, all climbers must sign in at the Climbers Register located outside of Jack's Restaurant and Store

Coulee Dam National Recreational Area
The enormous Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake stretches more than 150 miles from the dam to beyond the city of Kettle Falls. It is a popular place for boaters, water-skiers, swimmers, anglers, and campers. There are 16 free public boat launches; a fishing license is required. There are 30 species inhabiting these waters including walleye, rainbow trout, enormous white sturgeon (averaging 100-300 pounds, but growing up to 20 feet long and 1,800 pounds!), kokanee salmon, yellow perch, bass, cutthroat trout, perch and pike. Best months for fishing are May, June and September through November, in midsummer, the fish retreat to cooler waters in streams or deep in the lake. Popular spots are the points were rivers and streams meet the lake. For information call: (360)902-2200

Olympic National Park
Salmon fishing is popular in the Straits of Jan de Fuca and along the coast, no license is required in the park but salmon and steelhead punch cards are required. Lake Crescent is open to boating and fishing. Fishing guides and hunting guides operate in the area. For information call: (360)902-2200

Westport
Deep-sea salmon, rockfish and tuna fishing are big here and so is the marina - the largest one on the Washington State coast. The jetty near Westhaven State Park is a good spot for catching salmon, rockfish, lingcod, surfperch, and crabs. For those without a boat, the whole stretch from Westport to North Cove is popular for surf fishing, clam digging is seasonal and requires a license. For information call: (360)902-2200